Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for all their work to date, and I thank all the staff in our health service, including the HSE, for everything they have done. When I sit here, I sometimes think I live in a parallel world where some of the questions the witnesses are asked seem to be classic Monday-morning quarterbacking. I cannot imagine what situation this committee would be in today if the private hospitals had not been secured, and if capacity had not been secured and we had needed it. I fully support and acknowledge the deal done. It was the right thing to do at the right time. Tremendous credit is due to the witnesses for representing the State on its side of the argument. The private hospitals weighed in quickly enough to put the deal in place. It is easy now for some Deputies to say what they are saying. They seem to sit back and discard the extent of the achievement of the public, through its actions, in flattening the curve and preventing the circumstances we were rapidly heading towards, which were evident in Madrid and Milan. It does us a disservice as a committee not to acknowledge the type of work done.

I want to return to one or two points. The witnesses' fire brigades were well needed and well wanted. I would not send any of them away early; that risk should never be taken. The witnesses, particularly Mr Breslin, were asked a certain question on which they were not really given a chance to reply. The deal was called a bad deal. Mr Breslin said it is a good deal. Why is it a good deal?